Techniques for user equipment (ue) dynamically adjusting a non-access stratum (nas) timer in a wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a user equipment (UE) dynamically adjusting a non-access stratum (NAS) timer. Specifically, the UE may determine operation in a wideband and support of an extended coverage (EC) restriction. The UE may further identify a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining operation in the wideband and the EC restriction. The UE may further transmit an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure. The UE may further receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction. The UE may further apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message indicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction received from the network entity or a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographic area.

CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No.: 17/232,041, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR USER EQUIPMENT (UE)DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A NON-ACCESS STRATUM (NAS) TIMER IN A WIRELESSCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM” and filed on Apr. 15, 2021, and claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/011,968, entitled“TECHNIQUES FOR USER EQUIPMENT (UE) DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A NON-ACCESSSTRATUM (NAS) TIMER IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM” and filed onApr. 17, 2020, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelesscommunication systems, and more particularly, to a user equipment (UE)dynamically adjusting a non-access stratum (NAS) timer.

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple-accesssystems capable of supporting communication with multiple users bysharing the available system resources (such as time, frequency, andpower). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code-divisionmultiple access (CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA)systems, frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems, andorthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, andsingle-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. For example, a fifth generation (5G)wireless communications technology (which can be referred to as NR) isenvisaged to expand and support diverse usage scenarios and applicationswith respect to current mobile network generations. In some aspects, 5Gcommunications technology can include: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)addressing human-centric use cases for access to multimedia content,services and data; ultra-reliable-low latency communications (URLLC)with certain specifications for latency and reliability; and massivemachine type communications (mMTC), which can allow a very large numberof connected devices and transmission of a relatively low volume ofnon-delay-sensitive information.

For example, for various communications technology such as, but notlimited to NR, some implementations may increase transmission speed andflexibility but also transmission complexity. Thus, improvements inwireless communication operations may be desired.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

An example implementation includes a method of wireless communication ata user equipment (UE) including determining operation in a wideband andsupport of an extended coverage (EC) restriction. The method may furtherinclude identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer basedon determining operation in the wideband and the EC restriction. Themethod may further include transmitting an access request message to anetwork entity to trigger a mobility management procedure. The methodmay further include receiving an acceptance message from the networkentity indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction. The method may further include applying the duration to theNAS timer based on the acceptance message indicating the unrestricted orrestricted status of the EC restriction received from the networkentity, or a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network(PLMN) in a defined geographic area, and initiating the NAS timeraccording to the identified duration.

Another aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can beimplemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatusmay include memory including instructions and a processor incommunication with the memory to execute the instructions to determineoperation in a wideband and support of an EC restriction. The processormay further be configured to identify a duration of a NAS timer based ondetermining operation in the wideband and the EC restriction. Theprocessor may further be configured to transmit an access requestmessage to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure.The processor may further be configured to receive an acceptance messagefrom the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted statusof the EC restriction. The processor may further be configured to applythe duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message indicatingthe unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction receivedfrom the network entity, or a history of EC restrictions of a PLMN in adefined geographic area, and initiate the NAS timer according to theidentified duration.

A further aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure canbe implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatusmay include means for determining operation in a wideband and support ofan EC restriction. The apparatus further includes means for identifyinga duration of a NAS timer based on determining operation in the widebandand the EC restriction. The apparatus may further include means fortransmitting an access request message to a network entity to trigger amobility management procedure. The apparatus may further include meansfor receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicatingan unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction. Theapparatus may further include means for applying the duration to the NAStimer based on the acceptance message indicating the unrestricted orrestricted status of the EC restriction received from the networkentity, or a history of EC restrictions of a PLMN in a definedgeographic area, and means for initiating the NAS timer according to theidentified duration.

Another aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can beimplemented in a non-transitory computer-readable medium includingstored instructions of communications, executable by a processor todetermine operation in a wideband and support of an EC restriction. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium further including instructionsto identify a duration of a NAS timer based on determining operation inthe wideband and the EC restriction. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium further including instructions to transmit anaccess request message to a network entity to trigger a mobilitymanagement procedure, receive an acceptance message from the networkentity indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction. The non-transitory computer-readable medium furtherincluding instructions to apply the duration to the NAS timer based onthe acceptance message indicating the unrestricted or restricted statusof the EC restriction received from the network entity, or a history ofEC restrictions of a PLMN in a defined geographic area,. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium further including instructionsto initiate the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or moreaspects include the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative featuresof the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspectsmay be employed, and this description is intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network entity(also referred to as a base station).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a user equipment(UE).

FIG. 4 is an example communication flow between a UE and a networkentity (e.g., gNB) for an initial access attempt to a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication ata UE.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another example method of wirelesscommunication at the UE.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multiple-inputmultiple-output (MIMO) communication system including a base station anda UE.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofone or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) maybe practiced without these specific details.

The described features generally relate to a user equipment (UE)dynamically adjusting a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer.Specifically, a UE operating in category extended coverage (EC) canoperate in at least two modes, e.g., either EC mode A or EC mode B. Thecoverage enhancement or EC may be achieved through transmissionrepetitions according to one of two defined modes—EC Mode A or EC ModeB. For example, in typical 4G operations, each transmission may span 1millisecond, but in the EC modes each transmission may be repeated tens,hundreds or even thousands of times to improve the chances of successfultransmission. EC mode A may be optimized for moderate coverageenhancement with no repetitious or a small number of repetitioustransmissions, whereas EC mode B provides deeper coverage by permittinga large number of repetitious transmissions. An unrestricted ECoperation would permit the UE to operating according to one of the ECMode A or B. A restricted EC operation would not permit the UE tooperate according to one or both of EC Mode A and/or B.

If a UE supports EC mode B, the UE may operate in a wideband (WB)-S1mode, and the UE's usage setting may not be set to voice centric. The UEmay apply an extended NAS timer value to cover slow network responses inthese kind of deployments (i.e., WB-S1 or WB-N1). Examples of extendedNAS timer durations at a UE include ‘T3410’ for sending an Attachrequest set to 85 seconds and ‘T3430’ for sending a tracking area update(TAU) request set to 77 seconds. Although the UE may support an EC modeB, the network may nonetheless determine to restrict the EC mode B to anumber of UEs. For example, the UE may indicate support of a restricteduse of EC by setting ‘RestrictEC’ to ‘supported’ in UE networkcapability information element (IE) of an Attach or TAU request message.The network may permit use of EC by transmitting an Attach or TAU acceptmessage including a setting of ‘RestrictEC’ in an evolved packet system(EPS) network feature support IE. However, in some cases, the UE maytrigger an initial access procedure without knowledge of whether accessto an EC mode is permitted or restricted for a particular PLMN. The UEmay typically use such information to set a duration of one or more NAStimers. Without such information, the UE may be unable to accurately setthe duration the NAS timers, resulting in initial access failures.

As such, the present disclosure includes a method, apparatus, andnon-statutory computer readable medium for wireless communications at aUE including determining operation in a wideband and support of an ECrestriction, identifying a duration of a NAS timer based on determiningoperation in the wideband and the EC restriction, transmitting an accessrequest message to a network entity to trigger a mobility managementprocedure, receiving an acceptance message from the network entityindicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction,applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance messageindicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restrictionreceived from the network entity, or a history of EC restrictions of apublic land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographic area, andinitiating the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system”and the like are intended to include a computer-related entity, such asbut not limited to hardware, software, a combination of hardware andsoftware, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on acomputing device and the computing device can be a component. One ormore components can reside within a process or thread of execution and acomponent can be localized on one computer or distributed between two ormore computers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components can communicate by way of local or remote processes suchas in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets, such asdata from one component interacting with another component in a localsystem, distributed system, or across a network such as the Internetwith other systems by way of the signal. Software shall be construedbroadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments,program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications,software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines,objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.,whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description language, or otherwise.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, andother systems. The terms “system” and “network” may often be usedinterchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such asCDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releases 0 and Aare commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) iscommonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD),etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. ATDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System forMobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA system may implement a radiotechnology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA),IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM™, etc.UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System(UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are newreleases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, andGSM are described in documents from an organization named “3rdGeneration Partnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are describedin documents from an organization named “3rd Generation PartnershipProject 2” (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for thesystems and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systemsand radio technologies, including cellular (such as LTE) communicationsover a shared radio frequency spectrum band. The description below,however, describes an LTE/LTE-A system for purposes of example, and LTEterminology is used in much of the description below, although thetechniques are applicable beyond LTE/LTE-A applications (such as tofifth generation (5G) NR networks or other next generation communicationsystems).

The following description provides examples, and is not limiting of thescope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit,substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. Forinstance, the methods described may be performed in an order differentfrom that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, orcombined. Also, features described with respect to some examples may becombined in other examples.

Various aspects or features will be presented in terms of systems thatcan include a number of devices, components, modules, and the like. Itis to be understood and appreciated that the various systems can includeadditional devices, components, modules, etc. or may not include all ofthe devices, components, modules etc. discussed in connection with thefigures. A combination of these approaches also can be used.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system. Thewireless communications system (also referred to as a wireless wide areanetwork (WWAN)), includes an access network 100, base stations 102, UEs104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, or a 5G Core (5GC) 190. The basestations 102, which also may be referred to as network entities, mayinclude macro cells (high power cellular base station) or small cells(low power cellular base station). The macro cells can include basestations. The small cells can include femtocells, picocells, andmicrocells. In an example, the base stations 102 also may include gNBs180, as described further herein.

In one example, some nodes such as base station 102/gNB 180, may have amodem 240 and communicating component 242 for performing an initialaccess procedure with the UE 104 for access to a PLMN when the UE 104 isunaware of an EC mode restriction, as described herein. Though a basestation 102/gNB 180 is shown as having the modem 240 and communicatingcomponent 242, this is one illustrative example, and substantially anynode may include a modem 240 and communicating component 242 forproviding corresponding functionalities described herein.

In another example, some nodes such as UE 104 of the wirelesscommunication system may have a modem 340 and communicating component342 for including determining an absence of information associated withan EC restriction for a PLMN of a current service coverage area,identifying a duration of a NAS timer based on determining the absenceof the information associated with the EC restriction for the PLMN,transmitting an access request message to a network entity associatedwith the PLMN to trigger a mobility management procedure, and initiatingthe NAS timer according to the identified duration in response totransmitting the access request message to the network entity, asdescribed herein. Though a UE 104 is shown as having the modem 340 andcommunicating component 342, this is one illustrative example, andsubstantially any node or type of node may include a modem 340 andcommunicating component 342 for providing corresponding functionalitiesdescribed herein.

The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (which can collectively bereferred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC160 through backhaul links 132 (such as using an S1 interface). The basestations 102 configured for 5G NR (which can collectively be referred toas Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with 5GC 190 throughbackhaul links 184. In addition to other functions, the base stations102 may perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of userdata, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection,header compression, mobility control functions (such as handover, dualconnectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setupand release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS)messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network(RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriberand equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging,positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 maycommunicate directly or indirectly (such as through the EPC 160 or 5GC190) with each other over backhaul links 134 (such as using an X2interface). The backhaul links 132, 134 or 184 may be wired or wireless.

The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with one or more UEs104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coveragefor a respective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlappinggeographic coverage areas 110. For example, the small cell 102′ may havea coverage area 110′ that overlaps the coverage area 110 of one or moremacro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell andmacro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. Aheterogeneous network also may include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs)(HeNBs), which may provide service to a restricted group, which can bereferred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication links120 between the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 may include uplink(UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE 104 to abase station 102 or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link)transmissions from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The communicationlinks 120 may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antennatechnology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, or transmitdiversity. The communication links may be through one or more carriers.The base stations 102/UEs 104 may use spectrum up to Y MHz (such as 5,10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in acarrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (such as for x componentcarriers) used for transmission in the DL or the UL direction. Thecarriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation ofcarriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (such as more orless carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The componentcarriers may include a primary component carrier and one or moresecondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may bereferred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carriermay be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

In another example, certain UEs 104 may communicate with each otherusing device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2Dcommunication link 158 may use the DL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2Dcommunication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as aphysical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelinkdiscovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH),and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication maybe through a variety of wireless D2D communications systems, such as forexample, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi accesspoint (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 viacommunication links 154 in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. Whencommunicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs 152/AP 150may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating inorder to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell 102′ may operate in a licensed or an unlicensed frequencyspectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the smallcell 102′ may employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequencyspectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102′, employing NRin an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to or increasecapacity of the access network.

A base station 102, whether a small cell 102′ or a large cell (such asmacro base station), may include an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or other type ofbase station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180 may operate in atraditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, ornear mmW frequencies in communication with the UE 104. When the gNB 180operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred toas an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the RFin the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHzand a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves inthe band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extenddown to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. Thesuper high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, alsoreferred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW/near mmWradio frequency band has extremely high path loss and a short range. ThemmW base station, which may correspond to gNB 180, may utilizebeamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely highpath loss and short range. A base station 102 referred to herein caninclude a gNB 180.

The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, otherMMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast MulticastService (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC)170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be incommunication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 isthe control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 andthe EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connectionmanagement. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferredthrough the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDNGateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation aswell as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 areconnected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include theInternet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS StreamingService, or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions forMBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve asan entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used toauthorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMSGateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN)area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible forsession management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS relatedcharging information.

The 5GC 190 may include a Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a UserPlane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be in communication with aUnified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 can be a control nodethat processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the 5GC 190.Generally, the AMF 192 can provide QoS flow and session management. UserInternet protocol (IP) packets (such as from one or more UEs 104) can betransferred through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 can provide UE IP addressallocation for one or more UEs, as well as other functions. The UPF 195is connected to the IP Services 197. The IP Services 197 may include theInternet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS StreamingService, or other IP services.

The base station also may be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved NodeB (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio basestation, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic serviceset (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a transmit reception point(TRP), or some other suitable terminology. The base station 102 providesan access point to the EPC 160 or 5GC 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiationprotocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), asatellite radio, a positioning system (such as satellite, terrestrial),a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (such as MP3player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, robots,drones, an industrial/manufacturing device, a wearable device (such as asmart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, virtual reality goggles, asmart wristband, smart jewelry (such as a smart ring, a smartbracelet)), a vehicle/a vehicular device, a meter (such as parkingmeter, electric meter, gas meter, water meter, flow meter), a gas pump,a large or small kitchen appliance, a medical/healthcare device, animplant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or any other similar functioningdevice. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (such asmeters, pumps, monitors, cameras, industrial/manufacturing devices,appliances, vehicles, robots, drones, etc.). IoT UEs may includeMTC/enhanced MTC (eMTC, also referred to as CAT-M, Cat M1) UEs, NB-IoT(also referred to as CAT NB1) UEs, as well as other types of UEs. In thepresent disclosure, eMTC and NB-IoT may refer to future technologiesthat may evolve from or may be based on these technologies. For example,eMTC may include FeMTC (further eMTC), eFeMTC (enhanced further eMTC),mMTC (massive MTC), etc., and NB-IoT may include eNB-IoT (enhancedNB-IoT), FeNB-IoT (further enhanced NB-IoT), etc. The UE 104 also may bereferred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, amobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobiledevice, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remotedevice, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobileterminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a useragent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

Turning now to FIGS. 2-7 , aspects are depicted with reference to one ormore components and one or more methods that may perform the actions oroperations described herein, where aspects in dashed line may beoptional. Although the operations described below in FIGS. 5 and 6 arepresented in a particular order or as being performed by an examplecomponent, it should be understood that the ordering of the actions andthe components performing the actions may be varied, depending on theimplementation. Moreover, it should be understood that the followingactions, functions, or described components may be performed by aspecially-programmed processor, a processor executingspecially-programmed software or computer-readable media, or by anyother combination of a hardware component or a software componentcapable of performing the described actions or functions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network entity(also referred to as a base station). The base station 102 (such as abase station 102 or gNB 180, as described above) may include a varietyof components, some of which have already been described above and aredescribed further herein, including components such as one or moreprocessors 212 and memory 216 and transceiver 202 in communication viaone or more buses 244, which may operate in conjunction with modem 240or communicating component 242 for performing an initial accessprocedure with the UE 104 for access to a PLMN when the UE 104 isunaware of an EC mode restriction.

In some aspects, the one or more processors 212 can include a modem 240or can be part of the modem 240 that uses one or more modem processors.Thus, the various functions related to communicating component 242 maybe included in modem 240 or processors 212 and, in some aspects, can beexecuted by a single processor, while in other aspects, different onesof the functions may be executed by a combination of two or moredifferent processors. For example, in some aspects, the one or moreprocessors 212 may include any one or any combination of a modemprocessor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or atransmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processorassociated with transceiver 202. In other aspects, some of the featuresof the one or more processors 212 or modem 240 associated withcommunicating component 242 may be performed by transceiver 202.

Also, memory 216 may be configured to store data used herein or localversions of applications 275 or communicating component 242 or one ormore of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor 212.Memory 216 can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by acomputer or at least one processor 212, such as random access memory(RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs,volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. Insome aspects, for example, memory 216 may be a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium that stores one or morecomputer-executable codes defining communicating component 242 or one ormore of its subcomponents, or data associated therewith, when basestation 102 is operating at least one processor 212 to executecommunicating component 242 or one or more of its subcomponents.

Transceiver 202 may include at least one receiver 206 and at least onetransmitter 208. Receiver 206 may include hardware or softwareexecutable by a processor for receiving data, the code includinginstructions and being stored in a memory (such as computer-readablemedium). Receiver 206 may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF)receiver. In some aspects, receiver 206 may receive signals transmittedby at least one base station 102. Additionally, receiver 206 may processsuch received signals, and also may obtain measurements of the signals,such as, but not limited to, Ec/Io, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strengthindicator (RSSI), etc. Transmitter 208 may include hardware or softwareexecutable by a processor for transmitting data, the code includinginstructions and being stored in a memory (such as computer-readablemedium). A suitable example of transmitter 208 may including, but is notlimited to, an RF transmitter.

Moreover, in some aspects, base station 102 may include RF front end288, which may operate in communication with one or more antennas 265and transceiver 202 for receiving and transmitting radio transmissions,for example, wireless communications transmitted by at least one basestation 102 or wireless transmissions transmitted by UE 104. RF frontend 288 may be connected to one or more antennas 265 and can include oneor more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) 290, one or more switches 292, oneor more power amplifiers (PAs) 298, and one or more filters 296 fortransmitting and receiving RF signals. The antennas 265 may include oneor more antennas, antenna elements, or antenna arrays.

In some aspects, LNA 290 can amplify a received signal at a desiredoutput level. In some aspects, each LNA 290 may have a specified minimumand maximum gain values. In some aspects, RF front end 288 may use oneor more switches 292 to select a particular LNA 290 and its specifiedgain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Further, for example, one or more PA(s) 298 may be used by RF front end288 to amplify a signal for an RF output at a desired output powerlevel. In some aspects, each PA 298 may have specified minimum andmaximum gain values. In some aspects, RF front end 288 may use one ormore switches 292 to select a particular PA 298 and its specified gainvalue based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Also, for example, one or more filters 296 can be used by RF front end288 to filter a received signal to obtain an input RF signal. Similarly,in some aspects, for example, a respective filter 296 can be used tofilter an output from a respective PA 298 to produce an output signalfor transmission. In some aspects, each filter 296 can be connected to aspecific LNA 290 or PA 298. In some aspects, RF front end 288 can useone or more switches 292 to select a transmit or receive path using aspecified filter 296, LNA 290, or PA 298, based on a configuration asspecified by transceiver 202 or processor 212.

As such, transceiver 202 may be configured to transmit and receivewireless signals through one or more antennas 265 via RF front end 288.In some aspects, transceiver may be tuned to operate at specifiedfrequencies such that UE 104 can communicate with, for example, one ormore base stations 102 or one or more cells associated with one or morebase stations 102. In some aspects, for example, modem 240 can configuretransceiver 202 to operate at a specified frequency and power levelbased on the UE configuration of the UE 104 and the communicationprotocol used by modem 240.

In some aspects, modem 240 can be a multiband-multimode modem, which canprocess digital data and communicate with transceiver 202 such that thedigital data is sent and received using transceiver 202. In someaspects, modem 240 can be multiband and be configured to supportmultiple frequency bands for a specific communications protocol. In someaspects, modem 240 can be multimode and be configured to supportmultiple operating networks and communications protocols. In someaspects, modem 240 can control one or more components of UE 104 (such asRF front end 288, transceiver 202) to enable transmission or receptionof signals from the network based on a specified modem configuration. Insome aspects, the modem configuration can be based on the mode of themodem and the frequency band in use. In another aspect, the modemconfiguration can be based on UE configuration information associatedwith UE 104 as provided by the network during cell selection or cellreselection.

In some aspects, the processor(s) 212 may correspond to one or more ofthe processors described in connection with the UE in FIGS. 4 and 6 .Similarly, the memory 216 may correspond to the memory described inconnection with the UE in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a UE 104. The UE104 may include a variety of components, some of which have already beendescribed above and are described further herein, including componentssuch as one or more processors 312 and memory 316 and transceiver 302 incommunication via one or more buses 344, which may operate inconjunction with modem 340 or communicating component 342 configured toperform an initial access procedure for access to a PLMN withoutknowledge of an EC mode restriction.

The transceiver 302, receiver 306, transmitter 308, one or moreprocessors 312, memory 316, applications 375, buses 344, RF front end388, LNAs 390, switches 392, filters 396, PAs 398, and one or moreantennas 365 may be the same as or similar to the correspondingcomponents of base station 102, as described above, but configured orotherwise programmed for base station operations as opposed to basestation operations.

In some aspects, the processor(s) 312 may correspond to one or more ofthe processors described in connection with the base station in FIG. 7 .Similarly, the memory 316 may correspond to the memory described inconnection with the base station in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 4 is an example communication flow between a UE and a networkentity (e.g., eNB or gNB) for an initial access attempt to a PLMN. Foran initial access attempt to a PLMN, a UE 104 may trigger an Attachprocedure or a TAU procedure depending on an EPS mobility management(EMM) status by sending an attach request message to the gNB 102,without knowing whether EC mode B is permitted or restricted in thePLMN. For initial access attempt to the PLMN when the UE 104 not awareof PLMN restriction, the UE may set NAS timers to a restricted value(e.g., 15 sec) or an unrestricted value (85 sec). As shown in FIG. 4 ,the UE may determine a timer duration value for T3410 in the event theUE does not receive any sort of indication as to an EC mode Brestriction for the PLMN. Further, if the network triggers otherprocedures (e.g. authentication), the UE may determine timer durationvalues for corresponding NAS timers as well. In some implementations,the network may indicate the status of an EC Mode B restriction. In suchcase, the UE may set the NAS timers accordingly. For example, as shownin T3430, UE sets the NAS timer during T3430 based on network feedback.

In some implementations, the UE may set the NAS timer to any one of anumber of duration values when the UE is not aware of an EC mode Brestriction for the PLMN. In a first implementation, with absence of anyknowledge about the PLMN restricting EC Mode B, the UE may set the NAStimer to a restrictive value (e.g., 5-15 sec). The resulting consequencemay be if the PLMN is not restricting the EC Mode B for a UE, completingan initial NAS procedure may take a longer because of an inherited delayin the EC Mode B access, which in turn may affect completing the NASprocedure.

In a second implementation, the UE may set the NAS timer to a timervalue between a restrictive value (e.g., 5-15 sec) and an unrestrictedvalue (e.g., 85 sec) based on no knowledge of an EC Mode B restrictionby the PLMN. In a third implementation, with absence of any knowledgeabout the PLMN restricting EC Mode B, the UE may set a NAS timer to anunrestricted value (e.g., 85 sec). By doing so, however, if PLMN isrestricting EC Mode B for a UE, in some cases the UE may be waiting fora network response longer than usual. In a fourth implementation, the UEmay store or maintain a history of the PLMN or other PLMNs' behaviorregarding EC Mode B restriction for the UE in a same country (orgeographical region or MCC). The UE may use the historical data topredict a probable outcome for new PLMN and set the NAS timeraccordingly.

During an initial access attempt using an Attach or TAU procedure, thenetwork may trigger an authentication procedure such that a number ofNAS timers may be configured as described herein: T3416 for storingRAND/RES: UE set duration of 48 sec (vs. original of 30 sec set bynetwork), T3418 for authentication failure (MAC): UE set duration of 38sec (vs. original of 20 sec set by network), and/or T3420 forauthentication failure (Synchronization): UE set duration of 33 sec (vs.original of 15 sec set by network).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method 500 of wireless communicationat an apparatus of a UE. In an example, a UE 104 can perform thefunctions described in method 500 using one or more of the componentsdescribed in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 .

At block 502, the method 500 may determine operation in a wideband andsupport of an EC restriction for a PLMN of a current service coveragearea. In some aspects, the communicating component 342, such as inconjunction with processor(s) 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, maybe configured to determine operation in a wideband and support of an ECrestriction for a PLMN of a current service coverage area. Thus, the UE104, the processor(s) 312, the communicating component 342 or one of itssubcomponents may define the means for determining operation in awideband and support of an EC restriction for a PLMN of a currentservice coverage area. For example, the processor 312 of the UE 104 may,in conjunction with one or more applications 375 residing at the memory316, may determine, based on UE configuration, operation in a wideband(i.e., WB-N1) and support of an EC restriction (i.e., CE mode B).

In some implementations, the EC restriction may correspond to an EC ModeB restriction.

At block 504, the method 500 may identify a duration of a NAS timerbased on determining operation in the wideband and support of the ECrestriction for the PLMN. In some aspects, the communicating component342, such as in conjunction with processor(s) 312, memory 316, ortransceiver 302, may be configured to identify a duration of a NAS timerbased on determining operation in the wideband and support of the ECrestriction for the PLMN. Thus, the UE 104, the processor(s) 312, thecommunicating component 342 or one of its subcomponents may define themeans for identifying a duration of a NAS timer based on determiningoperation in the wideband and support of the EC restriction for thePLMN. For example, using information relating to the wideband operationand the EC restriction, the processor 312 of the UE 104 may, inconjunction with one or more applications 375 residing at the memory316, may identify a duration of a NAS timer

In some implementations, the method 500 apply an initial duration of theNAS timer corresponding to a configured length of time set by the UEwithout an indication from the network entity of the EC restrictionprior to receiving the acceptance message from the network entity, andwhere the initial duration is smaller than the identified duration. Insome aspects, the communicating component 342, such as in conjunctionwith processor(s) 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, may be configuredto apply an initial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to aconfigured length of time set by the UE without an indication from thenetwork entity of the EC restriction prior to receiving the acceptancemessage from the network entity, and where the initial duration issmaller than the identified duration. Thus, the UE 104, the processor(s)312, the communicating component 342 or one of its subcomponents maydefine the means for applying an initial duration of the NAS timercorresponding to a configured length of time set by the UE without anindication from the network entity of the EC restriction prior toreceiving the acceptance message from the network entity, and where theinitial duration is smaller than the identified duration.

At block 506, the method 500 may transmit an access request message to anetwork entity associated with the PLMN to trigger a mobility managementprocedure or service request procedure. In some aspects, thecommunicating component 342, such as in conjunction with processor(s)312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, may be configured to transmit anaccess request message to a network entity associated with the PLMN totrigger a mobility management procedure or service request procedure.Thus, the UE 104, the processor(s) 312, the communicating component 342or one of its subcomponents may define the means for transmitting anaccess request message to a network entity associated with the PLMN totrigger a mobility management procedure or service request procedure.For example, the processor 312 of the UE 104 may activate thetransceiver 302 and associated RF front end 388 components to transmitan access request message to a network entity associated with the PLMNto trigger a mobility management procedure or service request procedure.

In some implementations, the access request message may correspond toone of an attached request message, an authentication response message,an authentication failure message, a TAU request message, a registrationfor mobility message, an initial registration request or service requestmessage.

At block 508, the method 500 may initiate the NAS timer according to theidentified duration in response to transmitting the access requestmessage to the network entity. In some aspects, the communicatingcomponent 342, such as in conjunction with processor(s) 312, memory 316,or transceiver 302, may be configured to initiate the NAS timeraccording to the identified duration in response to transmitting theaccess request message to the network entity. Thus, the UE 104, theprocessor(s) 312, the communicating component 342 or one of itssubcomponents may define the means for initiating the NAS timeraccording to the identified duration in response to transmitting theaccess request message to the network entity. For example, using theidentified duration, the processor 312 of the UE 104 may, in conjunctionwith one or more applications 375 residing at the memory 316, mayinitiate the NAS timer.

At block 510, the method 500 may receive an acceptance message from thenetwork entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction during the mobility management procedure. In some aspects,the communicating component 342, such as in conjunction withprocessor(s) 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, may be configured toreceive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating anunrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction. Thus, the UE104, the processor(s) 312, the communicating component 342 or one of itssubcomponents may define the means for receiving an acceptance messagefrom the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted statusof the EC restriction. For example, the processor 312 of the UE 104 mayactivate the transceiver 302 and associated RF front end 388 componentsto receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating anunrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction during themobility management procedure.

In some aspects, the unrestricted status may indicate that the use ofenhanced coverage is not restricted, or CE mode B is not restricted.

At block 512, the method 500 may update the duration of the NAS timerbased on the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restrictionreceived from the network entity. In some aspects, the communicatingcomponent 342, such as in conjunction with processor(s) 312, memory 316,or transceiver 302, may be configured to update or apply the duration ofthe NAS timer based on the unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction received from the network entity. Thus, the UE 104, theprocessor(s) 312, the communicating component 342 or one of itssubcomponents may define the means for updating the duration of the NAStimer based on the unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction received from the network entity. For example, the processor312 of the UE 104 may, in conjunction with one or more applications 375residing at the memory 316, may update the duration of the NAS timerbased on the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restrictionreceived from the network entity, or a history of EC restrictions of apublic land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographic area.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of further example implementations for wirelesscommunication in conjunction with FIG. 5 . In an example, a UE 104 canperform the functions described in method 500 using one or more of thecomponents described in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 .

At block 602, to identify the duration of the NAS timer for the mobilitymanagement procedure, the method 500 may set the duration of the NAStimer to a first value corresponding to an indication or acknowledgmentof the EC restriction, i.e., restriction on the use of EC (e.g., 15seconds), to a distinct value between a second value corresponding to anindication of the EC restriction and a third value (e.g., 85 seconds)corresponding to an indication of an unrestricted EC, or the third valuecorresponding to an indication or acknowledgment of an unrestricted EC.For service request procedure, NAS timer is set to duration based onprevious knowledge of the EC restriction on current serving PLMN.

In some aspects, the communicating component 342, such as in conjunctionwith processor(s) 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, may be configuredto identify the duration of the NAS timer, the method 500 may set theduration of the NAS timer to a first value corresponding to anindication of the EC restriction (e.g., 15 seconds), to a distinct valuebetween a second value corresponding to an indication of the ECrestriction and a third value (e.g., 85 seconds) corresponding to anindication of an unrestricted EC, or the third value corresponding to anindication of an unrestricted EC.

Thus, the UE 104, the processor(s) 312, the communicating component 342or one of its subcomponents may define the means for identifying theduration of the NAS timer, the method 500 may set the duration of theNAS timer to a first value corresponding to an indication of the ECrestriction (e.g., 15 seconds), to a distinct value between a secondvalue corresponding to an indication of the EC restriction and a thirdvalue (e.g., 85 seconds) corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC, or the third value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

Implementations of block 604 to 608 relate to when the duration of theNAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of the PLMN and/or a distinctPLMN in a defined geographic area, and the defined geographic areaincluding the PLMN and distinct PLMN. For example, the PLMN and thedifferent PLMN may be part of or provide coverage within a similarcountry.

At block 604, the method 500 may determine a number of EC restrictionsfor the distinct PLMN. In some aspects, the communicating component 342,such as in conjunction with processor(s) 312, memory 316, or transceiver302, may be configured to determine a number of EC restrictions for thedistinct PLMN. Thus, the UE 104, the processor(s) 312, the communicatingcomponent 342 or one of its subcomponents may define the means fordetermining a number of EC restrictions for the distinct PLMN. Forexample, the number of EC restrictions may be a count of EC restrictionsapplied by the PLMN or the distinct PLMN to the UE with respect tooperating in an EC Mode B. The count may also be representative of apercentage or probability of EC restriction based on or a function of atotal previous number of EC restrictions and a total number of initialaccess attempts for a given PLMN.

At block 606, the method 500 may determine an EC restriction outcome forthe PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the distinct PLMN.In some aspects, the communicating component 342, such as in conjunctionwith processor(s) 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, may be configuredto determine an EC restriction outcome for the PLMN based on the numberof EC restrictions for the distinct PLMN. Thus, the UE 104, theprocessor(s) 312, the communicating component 342 or one of itssubcomponents may define the means for determining an EC restrictionoutcome for the PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for thedistinct PLMN.

In some implementations, the EC restriction outcome may correspond to alikelihood of EC restriction by the PLMN based on past EC restrictionsof the distinct PLMN sharing the geographic area.

At block 608, the method 500 may set the duration of the NAS timeraccording to the EC restriction outcome. In some aspects, thecommunicating component 342, such as in conjunction with processor(s)312, memory 316, or transceiver 302, may be configured to set theduration of the NAS timer according to the EC restriction outcome. Thus,the UE 104, the processor(s) 312, the communicating component 342 or oneof its subcomponents may define the means for setting the duration ofthe NAS timer according to the EC restriction outcome.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a MIMO communication system 700 including abase station 102 and a UE 104. The MIMO communication system 700 may beconfigured to implement the NAS timer configuration techniques describedherein. The MIMO communication system 700 may illustrate aspects of thewireless communication access network 100 described with reference toFIG. 1 . The base station 102 may be an example of aspects of the basestation 102 described with reference to FIG. 1 . The base station 102may be equipped with antennas 734 and 735, and the UE 104 may beequipped with antennas 752 and 753. In the MIMO communication system700, the base station 102 may be able to send data over multiplecommunication links at the same time. Each communication link may becalled a “layer” and the “rank” of the communication link may indicatethe number of layers used for communication. For example, in a 2×2 MIMOcommunication system where base station 102 transmits two “layers,” therank of the communication link between the base station 102 and the UE104 is two.

At the base station 102, a transmit (Tx) processor 720 may receive datafrom a data source. The transmit processor 720 may process the data. Thetransmit processor 720 also may generate control symbols or referencesymbols. A transmit MIMO processor 730 may perform spatial processing(such as precoding) on data symbols, control symbols, or referencesymbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to thetransmit modulator/demodulators 732 and 733. Each modulator/demodulator732 through 733 may process a respective output symbol stream (such asfor OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Eachmodulator/demodulator 732 through 733 may further process (such asconvert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output samplestream to obtain a DL signal. In one example, DL signals frommodulator/demodulators 732 and 733 may be transmitted via the antennas734 and 735, respectively.

The UE 104 may be an example of aspects of the UEs 104 described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . At the UE 104, the UE antennas 752 and 753may receive the DL signals from the base station 102 and may provide thereceived signals to the modulator/demodulators 754 and 755,respectively. Each modulator/demodulator 754 through 755 may condition(such as filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respectivereceived signal to obtain input samples. Each modulator/demodulator 754through 755 may further process the input samples (such as for OFDM,etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 756 may obtainreceived symbols from the modulator/demodulators 754 and 755, performMIMO detection on the received symbols, if applicable, and providedetected symbols. A receive (Rx) processor 758 may process (such asdemodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, providingdecoded data for the UE 104 to a data output, and provide decodedcontrol information to a processor 780, or memory 782.

The processor 780 may in some cases execute stored instructions toinstantiate a communicating component 242 (see such as FIGS. 1 and 2 ).The processor 740 may in some cases execute stored instructions toinstantiate a communicating component 342 (see such as FIGS. 1 and 3 ).

On the uplink (UL), at the UE 104, a transmit processor 764 may receiveand process data from a data source. The transmit processor 764 also maygenerate reference symbols for a reference signal. The symbols from thetransmit processor 764 may be precoded by a transmit MIMO processor 766if applicable, further processed by the modulator/demodulators 754 and755 (such as for SC-FDMA, etc.), and be transmitted to the base station102 in accordance with the communication parameters received from thebase station 102. At the base station 102, the UL signals from the UE104 may be received by the antennas 734 and 735, processed by themodulator/demodulators 732 and 733, detected by a MIMO detector 736 ifapplicable, and further processed by a receive processor 738. Thereceive processor 738 may provide decoded data to a data output and tothe processor 740 or memory 742.

The components of the UE 104 may, individually or collectively, beimplemented with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of theapplicable functions in hardware. Each of the noted modules may be ameans for performing one or more functions related to operation of theMIMO communication system 700. Similarly, the components of the basestation 102 may, individually or collectively, be implemented with oneor more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functionsin hardware. Each of the noted components may be a means for performingone or more functions related to operation of the MIMO communicationsystem 700.

SOME ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

The aspects described herein additionally include one or more of thefollowing aspect examples described in the following numbered clauses.

1. A method of wireless communication at a user equipment (UE),comprising:

-   -   determining operation in a wideband and support of an extended        coverage (EC) restriction;    -   identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based        on determining the operation in the wideband and the EC        restriction;    -   transmitting an access request message to a network entity to        trigger a mobility management procedure;    -   receiving an acceptance message from the network entity        indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC        restriction;    -   applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance        message indicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the        EC restriction received from the network entity or a history of        EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a        defined geographic area; and    -   initiating the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

2. The method of clause 1, further comprising applying an initialduration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configured length of timeset by the UE without an indication from the network entity of the ECrestriction prior to receiving the acceptance message from the networkentity, and wherein the initial duration is smaller than the identifiedduration.

3. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictioncorresponds to an EC Mode B restriction.

4. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of the ECrestriction.

5. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

6. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer is set between a value corresponding to an indication of the ECrestriction and a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

7. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

8. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

9. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer corresponds to 85 seconds.

10. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of the NAStimer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobile network(PLMN) in a defined geographic area, and wherein the defined geographicarea includes the PLMN and a distinct PLMN.

11. The method of any preceding clause, further comprising:

-   -   determining a number of EC restrictions for the PLMN;    -   determining an EC restriction outcome for the PLMN based on the        number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and    -   setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC        restriction outcome.

12. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictionoutcome corresponds to a likelihood of EC restriction by the PLMN basedon past EC restrictions of the distinct PLMN sharing the geographicarea.

13. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictioncorresponds to an enhanced coverage.

14. The method of any preceding clause, wherein the access requestmessage corresponds to one of:

-   -   an attached request message,    -   an authentication response message,    -   an authentication failure message,    -   a tracking area update (TAU) request message,    -   a registration for mobility message, or    -   an initial registration request message.

15. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

-   -   a transceiver;    -   a memory configured to store instructions; and    -   at least one processor communicatively coupled with the        transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors        are configured to execute the instructions to:        -   determine operation in a wideband and support of an extended            coverage (EC) restriction;        -   identify a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer            based on determining operation in the wideband and the EC            restriction;        -   transmit an access request message to a network entity to            trigger a mobility management procedure;        -   receive an acceptance message from the network entity            indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC            restriction;        -   apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance            message indicating the unrestricted or restricted status of            the EC restriction received from the network entity or a            history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network            (PLMN) in a defined geographic area; and        -   initiate the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

16. The apparatus of any preceding clause, further comprising applyingan initial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configuredlength of time set by the UE without an indication from the networkentity of the EC restriction prior to receiving the acceptance messagefrom the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is smallerthan the identified duration.

17. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictioncorresponds to an EC Mode B restriction.

18. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of the ECrestriction.

19. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

20. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set between a value corresponding to an indication of theEC restriction and a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

21. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85seconds.

22. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

23. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

24. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN) in a defined geographic area, and wherein the definedgeographic area includes the PLMN and a distinct PLMN.

25. The apparatus of any preceding clause, further comprising:

determining a number of EC restrictions for the PLMN;

determining an EC restriction outcome for the PLMN based on the numberof EC restrictions for the PLMN; and

setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restrictionoutcome.

26. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictionoutcome corresponds to a likelihood of EC restriction by the PLMN basedon past EC restrictions of the distinct PLMN sharing the geographicarea.

27. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictioncorresponds to an enhanced coverage.

28. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the access requestmessage corresponds to one of:

an attached request message,

an authentication response message,

an authentication failure message,

a tracking area update (TAU) request message,

a registration for mobility message, or

an initial registration request message.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for

means for determining operation in a wideband and support of an extendedcoverage (EC) restriction;

means for identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timerbased on determining operation in the wideband and the EC restriction;

means for transmitting an access request message to a network entity totrigger a mobility management procedure;

means for receiving an acceptance message from the network entityindicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction;

means for applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptancemessage indicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction received from the network entity or a history of ECrestrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a definedgeographic area; and

means for initiating the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising codeexecutable by one or more processors to:

determine operation in a wideband and support of an extended coverage(EC) restriction;

identify a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based ondetermining operation in the wideband and the EC restriction;

transmit an access request message to a network entity to trigger amobility management procedure;

receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating anunrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction;

apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance messageindicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restrictionreceived from the network entity or a history of EC restrictions of apublic land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographic area; and

initiate the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

31. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for determining operation in a wideband and support of an extendedcoverage (EC) restriction;

means for identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timerbased on determining the operation in the wideband and the ECrestriction;

means for transmitting an access request message to a network entity totrigger a mobility management procedure;

means for receiving an acceptance message from the network entityindicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction;

means for applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptancemessage indicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the ECrestriction received from the network entity or a history of ECrestrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a definedgeographic area; and

means for initiating the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

32. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the duration of the NAS timercorresponds to a configured length of time set by the UE without anindication from the network entity of the EC restriction.

33. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictioncorresponds to an EC Mode B restriction.

34. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of the ECrestriction.

35. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

36. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set between a value corresponding to an indication of theEC restriction and a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

37. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85seconds.

38. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted EC.

39. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

40. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN) in a defined geographic area, and wherein the definedgeographic area includes the PLMN and a distinct PLMN.

41. The apparatus of any preceding clause, further comprising:

means for determining a number of EC restrictions for the PLMN;

means for determining an EC restriction outcome for the PLMN based onthe number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and

means for setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the ECrestriction outcome.

42. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictionoutcome corresponds to a likelihood of EC restriction by the PLMN basedon past EC restrictions of the distinct PLMN sharing the geographicarea.

43. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the EC restrictioncorresponds to an enhanced coverage.

44. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the access requestmessage corresponds to one of:

an attached request message,

an authentication response message,

an authentication failure message,

a tracking area update (TAU) request message,

a registration for mobility message, or

an initial registration request message.

45. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including storedinstructions of communications, executable by a processor to:

determine operation in a wideband and support of an extended coverage(EC) restriction;

identify a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based ondetermining the operation in the wideband and the EC restriction;

transmit an access request message to a network entity to trigger amobility management procedure;

receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating anunrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction;

apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance messageindicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restrictionreceived from the network entity or a history of EC restrictions of apublic land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographic area; and

initiate the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of clause 45, whereinthe duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a configured length of timeset by the UE without an indication from the network entity of the ECrestriction.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the EC restriction corresponds to an EC Mode B restriction.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding toan indication of the EC restriction.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer valuebetween 5 and 15 seconds.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set between a valuecorresponding to an indication of the EC restriction and a valuecorresponding to an indication of an unrestricted EC.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer valuebetween 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding toan indication of an unrestricted EC.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on past EC restrictionsof a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographic area, andwherein the defined geographic area includes the PLMN and a distinctPLMN.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,further comprising instructions to:

determine a number of EC restrictions for the PLMN;

determine an EC restriction outcome for the PLMN based on the number ofEC restrictions for the PLMN; and

setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restrictionoutcome.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the EC restriction outcome corresponds to a likelihood of ECrestriction by the PLMN based on past EC restrictions of the distinctPLMN sharing the geographic area.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the EC restriction corresponds to an enhanced coverage.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of any preceding clause,wherein the access request message corresponds to one of:

an attached request message,

an authentication response message,

an authentication failure message,

a tracking area update (TAU) request message,

a registration for mobility message, or

an initial registration request message.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c,a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, circuits andalgorithm processes described in connection with the implementationsdisclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computersoftware, or combinations of both. The interchangeability of hardwareand software has been described generally, in terms of functionality,and illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits and processes described above. Whether such functionality isimplemented in hardware or software depends upon the particularapplication and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

The hardware and data processing apparatus used to implement the variousillustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described inconnection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented orperformed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A general purpose processor may be amicroprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller,microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implementedas a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP anda microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration. In some implementations, particular processes and methodsmay be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

In one or more aspects, the functions described may be implemented inhardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware,including the structures disclosed in this specification and theirstructural equivalents thereof, or in any combination thereof.Implementations of the subject matter described in this specificationalso can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one ormore modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computerstorage media for execution by, or to control the operation of, dataprocessing apparatus.

If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. The processes of a method or algorithmdisclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable softwaremodule which may reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readablemedia includes both computer storage media and communication mediaincluding any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer programfrom one place to another. A storage media may be any available mediathat may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to storedesired program code in the form of instructions or data structures andthat may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection can be properlytermed a computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes andinstructions on a machine readable medium and computer-readable medium,which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

Various modifications to the implementations described in thisdisclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thegeneric principles defined herein may be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theimplementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel featuresdisclosed herein.

Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate, the terms “upper” and “lower” are sometimes used for ease ofdescribing the figures, and indicate relative positions corresponding tothe orientation of the figure on a properly oriented page, and may notreflect the proper orientation of any device as implemented.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in asingle implementation. Conversely, various features that are describedin the context of a single implementation also can be implemented inmultiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination.Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one more exampleprocesses in the form of a flow diagram. However, other operations thatare not depicted can be incorporated in the example processes that areschematically illustrated. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances,multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the described programcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singlesoftware product or packaged into multiple software products.Additionally, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims canbe performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication at a userequipment (UE), comprising: identifying operation in a wideband mode andsupport for one of a coverage enhanced mode A or a coverage enhancedmode B; identifying that operation in the coverage enhanced mode B isnot restricted by a network entity; identifying a duration of anon-access stratum (NAS) timer associated with operation in the widebandmode and support for the coverage enhanced mode A or the coverageenhanced mode B; and applying the NAS timer according to the identifiedduration.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying thata usage setting does not correspond to a voice centric setting.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein identifying that operation in the coverageenhanced mode B is not restricted by a network entity includes receivingan indication from the network entity that operation in the coverageenhanced mode B is not restricted.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein theNAS timer is applied according to the duration in response to receivingthe indication from the network entity that operation in the coverageenhanced mode B is not restricted.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theduration of the NAS timer is identified during a NAS procedure.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising applying an initial duration ofthe NAS timer corresponding to a configured length of time set by the UEwithout an indication from the network entity of a coverage enhancementrestriction prior to receiving an acceptance message from the networkentity, and wherein the initial duration is smaller than the identifiedduration.
 7. The method of clam 1, wherein the duration of the NAS timeris set to a value corresponding to an indication of the coverageenhanced mode B.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set between a value corresponding to an indication of acoverage enhancement restriction and a value corresponding to anindication of an unrestricted coverage enhancement.
 9. The method ofclam 1, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a valuecorresponding to an indication of an unrestricted coverage enhancement.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the duration of the NAS timercorresponds to 85 seconds.
 11. An apparatus for wireless communication,comprising: a transceiver; a memory configured to store instructions;and at least one processor communicatively coupled with the transceiverand the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured toexecute the instructions to: identify operation in a wideband mode andsupport for one of a coverage enhanced mode A or a coverage enhancedmode B; identify that operation in the coverage enhanced mode B is notrestricted by a network entity; identify a duration of a non-accessstratum (NAS) timer associated with operation in the wideband mode andsupport for the coverage enhanced mode A or the coverage enhanced modeB; and apply the NAS timer according to the identified duration.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to identify that a usage setting does not correspond to avoice centric setting.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein toidentify that operation in the coverage enhanced mode B is notrestricted by a network entity, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to receive an indication from the network entity thatoperation in the coverage enhanced mode B is not restricted.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the NAS timer is applied according to theduration in response to receiving the indication from the network entitythat operation in the coverage enhanced mode B is not restricted. 15.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the duration of the NAS timer isidentified during a NAS procedure.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to apply aninitial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configured lengthof time set by the UE without an indication from the network entity of acoverage enhancement restriction prior to receiving an acceptancemessage from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration issmaller than the identified duration.
 17. The apparatus of clam 11,wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding toan indication of the coverage enhanced mode B.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set between a valuecorresponding to an indication of a coverage enhancement restriction anda value corresponding to an indication of an unrestricted coverageenhancement.
 19. The apparatus of clam 11, wherein the duration of theNAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of anunrestricted coverage enhancement.
 20. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication, comprising means for means for identifying operation in awideband mode and support for one of a coverage enhanced mode A or acoverage enhanced mode B; means for identifying that operation in thecoverage enhanced mode B is not restricted by a network entity; meansfor identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timerassociated with operation in the wideband mode and support for thecoverage enhanced mode A or the coverage enhanced mode B; and means forapplying the NAS timer according to the identified duration.